Local Governments Implement Stricter Safety Rules for Nature Tourism
San Gabriel, La Union enforces mandatory guides and pre-registration for eco-tourism sites.
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According to the PNA, the local government of San Gabriel has implemented mandatory tour guides and a pre-registration queuing system to regulate nature-based tourism and ensure visitor safety. The policy requires one trained guide for every five visitors to prevent overcrowding and manage environmental impact at local outdoor attractions.
In San Gabriel, La Union, Mayor Lany Carbonell confirmed that the municipality has 113 trained tour guides skilled in rescue and basic first aid. Under a local ordinance, visitors to the town’s nature sites must hire a guide for a flat fee of PHP 700 for a full-day tour.
The town’s municipal tourism office reported that San Gabriel recorded over 50,000 daytime tourists in 2025, generating PHP 28 million in revenue. Popular destinations like Tangadan Falls, Dupagan Falls, and Mount Mugong drive the majority of this traffic.
To manage the volume, Tourism Officer Daryl Dacumos stated that visitors must pre-register at the tourism office. Checkpoints have also been established to inspect vehicles based on the mountainous terrain. Because local accommodations are limited to a single transient house, most visitors stay in nearby San Juan while a new hotel is under construction.
SOURCE: PNA